Label for covering an opening situated in a wall

ABSTRACT

A label for moisture protection and/or pressure equalization has a base layer, a top layer, and a gas-permeable element. The base layer and the top layer have overlapping openings. The base layer and the top layer each comprise a first, laterally inner region and a second, laterally outer region. The gas-permeable element comprises a first, laterally inner section located between the overlapping openings and at least one second, laterally outer section embedded or sandwiched between the first, inner regions of the base layer and of the top layer. The second, outer regions of the base layer and of the top layer are disposed on one other in direct contact with each other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and Applicant claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/027,524 filed onApr. 6, 2016, which application is a national stage application under 35U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2014/073134 filed on Oct. 28,2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from German PatentApplication No. 10 2013 111 917.4 filed on Oct. 29, 2013, thedisclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Acertified copy of priority German Patent Application No. 10 2013 111917.4 is contained in parent U.S. application Ser. No. 15/027,524. TheInternational Application under PCT article 21(2) was not published inEnglish.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a label for covering an opening situated in awall, which label has a base layer, a top layer, and a gas-permeableelement disposed between them.

2. Description of the Related Art

Labels that contain a gas-permeable element are used to cover openingsin walls or containers, so that gaseous substances can be exchangedbetween the interior enclosed by the wall and the outer surroundings.The gas-permeable element of the label retains contaminants and isextensively or completely non-permeable for liquids. Such labels serveas pressure equalization elements, for example in housings forelectronic modules, which elements offer protection against the entry ofdust, contaminants or wetness, or in microphones, for example, asmoisture protection and dust protection for the electronic modules.

On the one hand, sufficient mechanical stability of the label isimportant, so that automated production and further processing of thelabel, using roll processing machines, is possible. For this purpose, inparticular, the membrane is supposed to be well connected with the layerstructure of the label. Because the layers are connected with oneanother by way of pressure-sensitive adhesives, escape of adhesive issupposed to be prevented to the greatest possible extent, because suchescape can impair or interrupt the production process. Finally, itshould be possible to produce the label as cost-advantageously aspossible, in order to allow mass use.

There is therefore a need for indicating a label for covering an openingsituated in a wall, which label is mechanically stable and preventsescape of adhesive to the greatest possible extent, in order to preventcontamination of the label or of the surroundings with adhesive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, this task is accomplished by meansof a label according to the characteristics disclosed herein.

According to embodiments, a label for covering an opening situated in awall comprises: a base layer having an opening, wherein the base layercomprises adhesive; a top layer having an opening, wherein the baselayer and the top layer are disposed one on top of the other, and theopening of the base layer and the opening of the top layer overlap; agas-permeable element, which is disposed between the top layer and thebase layer that comprises the adhesive, wherein the gas-permeableelement comprises a section that lies in the region of the overlappingopenings of the base layer and of the top layer, and a further sectionthat lies between overlapping regions of the base layer and of the toplayer.

The gas-permeable element is disposed between the base layer and the toplayer in mechanically stable manner. Because of the fact that thegas-permeable element lies between the base layer that comprises anadhesive and the top layer, no adhesive that could escape is situatedbetween the gas-permeable element and the top layer. Contamination ofthe label in the region of the gas-permeable element, at the top of thelabel, by means of escaping adhesive, is therefore prevented.

According to embodiments, the top side of the gas-permeable elementdirectly contacts the top layer, while fixation of the gas-permeableelement within the label composite is provided by means of the adhesiveof the base layer, which adhesive contacts the gas-permeable elementfrom the bottom, i.e. on the side facing the base layer. For thispurpose, the side of the base layer that faces the top layer or thegas-permeable element is coated with adhesive.

According to an embodiment, the base layer itself can be formed from orconsist of only a layer of adhesive, for example what is called atransfer adhesive. The transfer adhesive fixes the gas-permeable elementin place, on the one hand, and on the other hand serves to glue thelabel onto the wall having the opening to be covered. A label of thisembodiment is particularly flexible, and is suited for being glued ontoa curved wall.

According to a further embodiment, the top layer can be structured to belarger than the base layer, so that the outer edge of the top layerprojects beyond the edge of the base layer by a certain dimension. Thebase layer is therefore covered by the top layer from above, i.e. seenfrom the top layer, because the edge of the base layer is recessedrelative to the edge of the top layer. If adhesive were nevertheless toescape from the base layer in this case, this escaping adhesive iscovered by the projecting part of the top layer, so that it does notcontaminate the surroundings of the label. This is important if a greatnumber of labels is coiled up onto a roll and processed in an automatedroll processing process, at high speed. Any kind of contamination coulddisrupt or interrupt the automated high-speed processing process, andthis should be avoided, if at all possible.

Furthermore, the opening in the top layer, underneath which thegas-permeable element is situated, can be configured to be smaller thanthe related opening in the base layer. This means that the edge of theopening in the top layer projects beyond the edge of the opening in thebase layer, and therefore the edge of the opening in the top layer, seenin projection, projects into the opening in the base layer. This ensuresgood mechanical stability, on the one hand, and, on the other hand,ensures that any adhesive possibly escaping from the base layer into theopening is covered by the projecting part of the top layer, whichprojects into the opening of the base layer, and does not possiblyescape upward or outward through the gas-permeable element.

Technical empirical values are available for this projecting part of thetop layer beyond the edge of the base layer or beyond the edge of theopening in the base layer. For example, the edge of the opening of thetop layer can project beyond the edge of the opening of the base layerby a dimension of between 0.3 mm (millimeter) to 0.7 mm, so that theopening of the top layer is correspondingly smaller than the opening ofthe base layer. If the production process is organized well, thisdimension can amount to between 0.4 mm up to 0.6 mm. In a practicalembodiment, the dimension can amount to around 0.5 mm or to 0.5 mm.

For the projecting part of the top layer beyond the outer edge of thebase layer at the outer ends of the label, it is advantageous that theoverhang amounts to approximately 8 times to 12 times the thickness ofthe adhesive layer that lies underneath it, or a dimension of 0.4 mm to1.2 mm. In a special embodiment, the overhang can amount to 10 times thethickness of the adhesive situated underneath it. If the adhesive layerhas a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, a dimension of 0.5 mm to 1 mm isrecommended for the overhang of the top layer beyond the outer edge ofthe base layer.

In a further embodiment, a plurality of smaller openings can be presentin the region of the gas-permeable element in the top layer, instead ofa single, large opening. The smaller openings can have a diameter ofabout 0.8 mm. In this way, sufficient gas exchange between the interiorof the wall and the outer surroundings is possible, on the one hand,while on the other hand, the surface is mechanically stable andprotected against penetration of thin objects, if this is required forthe use of the label.

In a further embodiment, the top of the label can be coated with aprinting ink, over its full area or in partial areas, on the one hand,so that contrasting imprinting with letters, symbols, barcodes or 2Dcodes is possible. On the other hand, the top layer can be structured insuch a manner that laser inscribing is possible. Laser inscribing hasthe advantage that it can be applied individually at a very late pointin time of use of the label, for example immediately before or evenafter dispensing onto a container. A layer structure that canadvantageously be used for laser inscribing comprises an aluminum vaporcoating instead of the printing ink on the top layer. Alternatively andpreferably, a laser-active layer can be present below the top layer,i.e. facing the membrane and facing the base layer, and, in turn,underneath that, a reference layer can be present, which makes acontrast color available. The laser-active layer can contain metalparticles, for example aluminum particles, which change to the lasereffect and ensure that the originally opaque layer becomes transparentafter the laser effect, at the location impacted by the laser beam. Thenthe contrast color, for example a dark or black layer, is visibleinstead of the white or silvery laser-active layer, and forms a contrastto the latter.

According to embodiments, the gas-permeable element can be a membranethat is permeable for gaseous substances but blocks liquid. In this way,gas exchange between an inner volume and the outer surroundings ispossible, wherein the inner volume is protected against the entry ofwetness. The gas-permeable element can also be structured as a wovenfabric, which possesses a membrane having a greater mesh width ascompared with the tight mesh pattern, so that the woven fabric is morepermeable for acoustic energy in comparison with a membrane. Such awoven fabric is nevertheless impermeable for liquid in the form ofdroplets. The use of a woven fabric as an embodiment for thegas-permeable element is recommended, for example, in the case ofacoustic uses, for example in the case of microphones.

In the production of the label, the base layer according to the aboveembodiments can be structured as an adhesive tape coated with adhesiveon both sides, wherein the center layer is formed from polymer film, forexample polyester film. A circular opening is punched into thedouble-sided adhesive tape as an opening for the membrane. Thegas-permeable element, for example a membrane or a woven fabric, has alarger diameter than the aforementioned opening, and can be structuredto be circular, rectangular or square, possibly with rounded corners,and is positioned above the opening in the base layer. The top layercomprises a polymer film, for example a polyester film, into which thecircular opening for the membrane is punched, wherein its diameter issmaller than the opening punched into the base layer. The elements aremade available as material webs and joined together in a roll processingprocess, by machine, for production of the label. The region in whichtop layer and bottom layer adhere to one another is significantly largerand, seen in cross-section, has a significantly longer expanse than thegas-permeable element or the region in which the gas-permeable elementis glued in between top layer and base layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detailusing the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The figures show:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a label having a gas-permeableelement;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a label according to an embodiment in which aplurality of smaller openings is provided in the top layer, in theregion of the gas-permeable element;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through an embodiment in which the bottomlayer merely comprises a transfer adhesive; and

FIG. 4 shows a label having a top layer that can be laser-inscribed,which label is glued onto a wall having an opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures of the drawing, the size relationships are not shown toscale. Instead, in the drawing the fundamental layer structure or a topview of it, and the relative position of the layers relative to oneanother are shown in principle, wherein relative and absolute sizerelationships are not reproduced to scale. For example, in practice, thelabel extends clearly longer between membrane and outer edge than shownin the drawing, for reasons of clarity.

In FIG. 1, a cross-section through a label for covering an openingsituated in a wall is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Thelabel comprises a top layer 20 as well as a base layer 10. An undersideof the top layer 20 is connected with the base layer. The top layer 20,in detail, comprises a polymer film 201 as well as a printing ink 202optionally applied to the latter. An opening 21 is introduced into thetop layer 20, which opening is circular with diameter B in the exampleof the embodiment shown. The base layer 10 comprises a polymer layer101, on the top of which an adhesive layer 102 is applied, and on theunderside of which a further adhesive layer 103 is applied. In theexemplary embodiment, this is a section of a double-sided adhesive tape.The films 201, 101 preferably consist of the same material. A polyesterfilm can be used as the polymer film 101, 102, in each instance, whichfilm demonstrates sufficient strength for the intended cases of use. Ifthe label is supposed to be glued over a curved body and to becorrespondingly flexible, the use of a film composed of polyethylene(PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is also possible.

The underside of the top layer 20 is connected with the top adhesivelayer 102 of the base layer 10. In the base layer 10, there is anopening 11, which is circular with diameter C in the example of theembodiment shown. The openings 21, 11 of top layer and base layer,respectively, overlap one another. Because the diameter B is smallerthan the diameter C, the openings 21, 11 overlap completely, i.e. in aprojection of the opening 21 into the plane of the opening 11, theprojected openings lies completely within the opening 11.

A gas-permeable element 30 is disposed between the top layer 20 and thebase layer 10. The gas-permeable element comprises a center section 31,which lies in the region of the overlapping openings 21, 11.Furthermore, the gas-permeable element 30 comprises sections 32 a and 32b, which lie between the overlapping sections of top layer 20 and baselayer 10. In this connection, a top of the gas-permeable element 30,which faces the top layer 20, contacts the underside of the polymer film201. An underside of the gas-permeable element 30, which faces the baselayer 10, contacts the adhesive layer 102 of the base layer 10. Thegas-permeable element 30 is disposed between polymer film 201 andadhesive 102, and thereby fixed in place.

In particular, the underside of the polymer layer 201 of the top layer20 is not equipped with an adhesive layer, but rather contacts thegas-permeable element 30 in the region around the opening 21, and isfirmly connected with the adhesive layer 102 of the base layer 10 in theregion outside of the gas-permeable element. As a result, thegas-permeable element 30 is firmly integrated into the layer composite,on the one hand. The strength of the adhesive connection provided by theadhesive layer 102 can be adjusted by means of a suitable selection ofthe adhesive strength of the adhesive 102, so that even in the case ofrotational processing of the label by machine, the membrane is securelyheld in the layer composite. On the other hand, there is no adhesivesituated between the gas-permeable element 30 and the polymer film 201of the top layer 20, so that no adhesive that might possibly escape ispresent at the top of the gas-permeable element. Instead, the adhesiveis situated on the underside, i.e. the side of the gas-permeable element30 that faces the base layer 10. Even if adhesive were to escape here,the blocking effect of the gas-permeable element 30 prevents theadhesive from getting to the outside of the gas-permeable element 30. Inaddition, the opening 21 in the top layer 20 has a smaller diameter Bthan the opening 11 in the base layer 10, with the diameter C, so thatthe edge of the opening in the top layer 20 projects beyond the edge ofthe opening 11 in the base layer 10 by the distance A. Adhesive thatpossibly escapes from the adhesive layer 102 is covered by the edge ofthe top opening 21 that projects by the distance A, even if it were topossibly pass through the gas-permeable element 30 after an extendedperiod of time. Therefore possible escape of adhesive is reliablycovered in the region of the gas-permeable element, so that the adhesiveremains within the layer and does not possibly escape to the outside andcontaminate the label or processing machines.

At the outer edge of the label, as shown in the drawing on the right andleft, the adhesive layer 102 of the base layer 10 is directly in contactwith the polymer layer 201 of the top layer 20. In disadvantageoushandling cases, adhesive 102 can escape beyond the edge of the baselayer 10. In this regard, it is provided that the top layer 20,particularly the polymer layer 201, projects beyond the outer edge ofthe base layer 10 with a distance D. Even if adhesive 102 escapes fromthe base layer 10, it is covered by the top layer 20, so that it is notgiven off to the surroundings. Contamination of the label, of the wallon which the label is applied or of processing machines is prevented.The escape of adhesive from the layer composite, which is sometimesunavoidable, is therefore made harmless to such an extent that it doesnot escape beyond the top edge of the label that has been glued on.

Therefore, a relatively stable label arrangement is created by the labelshown in FIG. 1, on the one hand, so that the gas-permeable element 30is embedded in the layer composite of the label in stable manner. On theother hand, escape of adhesive or bleeding of adhesive beyond the labelis effectively prevented.

Finally, in FIG. 1 a further adhesive layer 103 is provided in the baselayer 10, which layer is applied on the underside of the polymer layer101 of the base layer 10, i.e. on the side of the base layer 10 thatfaces away from the top layer 20. The label is glued onto a wall of ahousing or of a container, in which an opening that has been introducedis supposed to be covered, with the adhesive layer 103. The overhang Dof the top layer 20 also serves to prevent possible bleeding of theadhesive out of the adhesive layer 103, as described above in connectionwith the adhesive layer 102. Before use of the label, the adhesive layer103 is usually covered by a cover layer 40, as is usual in the case ofself-adhesive labels. For example, the cover layer 40 comprises apolymer film 41, for example composed of PET, which is provided, on thetop that faces the adhesive, with a silicone layer 42, in order toreduce the adhesion of the adhesive layer 103 to the cover layer 40. Thecover layer 40 can therefore easily be pulled off the adhesive layer103. Optionally, an adhesive-repelling back-side coating 43 canfurthermore be present in the cover layer 40. The cover layer 40 can bea continuous liner onto which a plurality of labels is glued, so thatthis plurality of labels is rolled up for interim storage and then isavailable for being dispensed onto a wall or a container, by means of aroll processing machine.

The gas-permeable element 30 can be a membrane that is gas-permeable onthe one hand, but on the other hand blocks the passage of any liquids orliquid components. The label can then be used as a pressure equalizationelement, in which the interior of a housing provided with the coveredopening is present under controlled humidity conditions. Furthermore,the membrane protects against the entry of dust or entry of any solidsubstances or contaminants into the interior of the housing. Instead ofa membrane, a woven fabric having a clearly larger mesh width can alsobe used, wherein the mesh width is adjusted in such a manner that dustand solid substances or contaminants are blocked, and furthermore thepassage of liquid in droplet form is blocked. A larger mesh width hasthe advantage, as compared with a very tight-mesh membrane, that thewoven fabric is acoustically more permeable than the membrane. Such awoven fabric is suitable, among other things, for covering acousticallysensitive modules, for example microphones.

In a practical embodiment, the opening within the top layer 20 is acircular opening with a diameter of 5 mm. In this exemplary embodiment,the opening 11 in the base layer 10 is a circular opening with adiameter of 6 mm. The membrane or the woven fabric disposed in betweenis punched in circular or rectangular manner, particularly square,wherein the corners are rounded off. The membrane has a diameter of 10mm or has an edge length of 10 mm. The outside dimension of the label isat least 20 mm. In order to achieve good adhesion of the label on thewall, the label can be configured to be rectangular, in practice, withoutside dimensions of the rectangle edges of 25 mm*50 mm.

The measures described below can be used for dimensioning of thedistances A and D. For the distance A, which represents the overhang ofthe opening 21 in the top layer 20 over the edge of the opening 11 inthe base layer 10, a range between 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm can generally beused. In the case of sufficient positional accuracy of the layer 20relative to the layer 10 during production of the label, 0.4 mm to 0.6mm can be achieved for the distance A. On average or in the case ofsufficiently precise positioning during production, the distance Aamounts to 0.5 mm. This suffices to guarantee mechanically sufficientstrength for the gas-permeable element as such and for the layercomposite in the region of the openings, so that the risk of rupture ofthe gas-permeable element or of the label is prevented. Furthermore,bleeding out of the adhesive 102 underneath the membrane layer, beyondthe edge of the opening 21, is prevented by means of this overhang.

The distance D, which indicates the overhang of the top layer 20 overthe outer contour or the edge of the base layer 10, is recommended to be8 times to 12 times the thickness E of the adhesive of the layer 102. Onaverage or in particular cases, the overhang D can amount to 10 timesthe thickness of the adhesive layer 102. If one takes into considerationthat the adhesive layer 102 can be on the order of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm inusual application cases, the distance D lies in the range of 0.4 mm to1.2 mm or, in particular, between 0.5 mm to 1 mm. As a result, theescape of adhesive beyond the top label edge of the top layer 20 isreliably prevented.

In FIG. 2, a modification of the label shown in FIG. 1 is shown in theregion of the opening 21, in a top view of a label. In deviation fromFIG. 1, the label in FIG. 2 does not have an opening 21 punched out overa full area, but rather a plurality of relatively small holes 25 punchedout of the top layer 20 is situated in the region of an enveloping line26. The envelope end 26 is a circular line with the diameter B. Thenumber of holes 25 within the line 26 is adjusted in such a manner thatsufficient gas flow in accordance with the intended technical use ispossible. On the other hand, the punch-outs 25 are provided to besufficiently small and in a sufficient number, so that the remainingmaterial of the top layer 20 is sufficiently stable, particularly hassufficient stability with regard to the penetration of thin or pointedobjects. In an exemplary embodiment, the punch-outs 25 are circular andhave a diameter of 0.8 mm. In the top view of FIG. 2, the edge of theopening 11 in the base layer 10 is supplementally shown as a brokenline; this edge is actually not visible from the top. It can be seenthat all the punch-outs 25 overlap with the opening 11 in the baselayer, and lie within an imaginary projection within the opening 11.

In FIG. 3, a further embodiment is shown, in which the label isrelatively flexible and is particularly suitable for being glued onto acurved surface. In the case of the label shown in FIG. 3, the base layeris formed only by an adhesive layer 50, which can be a transferadhesive. The transfer adhesive 50 is applied to the underside of thetop layer 20 and of the gas-permeable element 30, so that thegas-permeable element 30 is held in the label composite in stablemanner. The adhesive layer 50 furthermore serves to glue the label ontothe wall. Before use of the label, the adhesive layer 50 is covered by aliner 40 on its underside; this liner is pulled off the adhesive layer50 for use.

The flexibility of the label in FIG. 3 can furthermore be improved inthat the polymer layer 201 within the top layer 20 is formed from aparticularly flexible plastic and is sufficiently thin. Instead ofpolyester, polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are alsosuitable as the material for the polymer layer 201.

In FIG. 4, a further embodiment is shown, in which the top layer 60 isstructured as a layer that can be inscribed with a laser. The topmost,outer layer 601 of the top layer 60 is formed from a polymer material,for example polyester. The polymer layer 601 is permeable for a laserbeam and transparent for the human eye. Underneath the layer 601, thereis a laser-active layer 602, which is modified when a laser beam impactsit. The laser-active layer contains metal particles, for examplealuminum particles, which are embedded in the layer 602 and dissolve ormigrate away when a laser energy pulse impacts them. As a result, thelayer 602, which is originally opaque and non-transparent in theoriginal state, becomes transparent and see-through for the human eye atthe location where the laser beam impacts. The layer 603, which is anink layer and forms a color contrast, is situated lowermost. As aresult, the ink layer 603 is visible from above, through the layers 601,602, at the impact location of the laser beam. In this manner, the labelcan be inscribed by a laser beam, in contact-free and individual manner.Because of the contact-free inscribing, the label layers and themembrane do not experience any mechanical stress. In particular, thelaser inscribing can be carried out relatively late in the use process,for example even when the label has already been glued onto a wall. ANd:YAG laser is suitable, for example, as a suitable laser forinscribing the laser-active layer 602 in the laser-inscribable top layer60. Because of the use of a laser-active layer 602 as described above,which is covered by the transparent polymer layer 601, no vaporemissions or material erosions that might be harmful are given off intothe environment. The label can therefore be used in particularlysustainable manner.

Finally, in FIG. 4 a wall 70 is shown, which has an opening 71. The wall70 is, for example, a container that contains an electronic module,wherein the opening 71 allows pressure equalization between the interiorof the housing and of the outer surroundings. The label is glued ontothe wall, and the opening 71 overlaps with the openings in the top layerand base layer of the label, so that the membrane 30 allows pressureequalization and, at the same time, ensures controlled humidityconditions in the interior of the housing enclosed by the wall.

Instead of the laser-inscribable top layer 60 described above, aconventional laser-inscribable surface can be provided, of course, forexample an aluminum vapor layer on a polymer film with a contrast layerlying underneath, wherein aluminum material is removed from the laservapor layer by means of the laser beam.

The aluminum vapor layer or the laser-active layer 602 appears to anobserver as a white or silvery surface, for example, in the originalstate. The contrast layer can be an aluminum vapor layer with a specificaluminum stoichiometry, for example, so that it appears black andtherefore the laser inscription appears to the observer as black writingon a white or silvery background.

A protective layer, which comprises a polymer layer with a relativelyeasily adhering adhesive, can be applied to the top of the top layer 20,60, in the label variants described above. Such a protective layerserves as varnish protection, for example, if the label that has alreadybeen glued onto a wall and provided with the varnish protection layer asthe uppermost layer is varnished at the same time as the wall of thebody or container. Subsequently, the varnish layer is pulled off, sothat the label and its possible inscription are visible, and themembrane can bring about the pressure equalization. The varnishprotection layer is equipped with a gripper tab, so that it can bepulled off the top layer 20.

In summary, a label with which an opening situated in a wall can becovered comprises a gas-permeable element that is embedded between abase layer 10 and a top layer 20. Base layer and top layer have openings11, 21 that overlap one another. The gas-permeable element is disposedbetween an adhesive layer 102 of the base layer and the top layer 20.According to embodiments, the opening of the top layer can project Abeyond the edge of the opening of the lower layer and/or the top layercan project B beyond the outer edge of the lower layer. The labeldemonstrates sufficient mechanical stability and prevents the escape ofadhesive.

Particularly, FIGS. 1 to 4 show particular features of the labeldescribed herein below:

The base layer 10 comprises a first, radially inner and/or laterallyinner region and a second, radially outer and/or laterally outer regionand the top layer 20 comprises a first, radially inner and/or laterallyinner region and a second, radially outer and/or laterally outer region.The gas-permeable element 30 comprises a first, radially inner and/orlaterally inner section 31 that lies in a radial and/or lateral area orregion where the opening 11 of the base layer 10 and the opening 21 ofthe top layer 20 overlap one another. The gas-permeable element 30further comprises at least one second, radially outer and/or laterallyouter section 32 a, 32 b that is arranged radially outside and/orlaterally outside the first, inner section 31 of the gas-permeableelement. The at least one second, outer section 32 a, 32 b of thegas-permeable element 30 is embedded and/or sandwiched between thefirst, inner region of the base layer and the first, inner region of thetop layer; whereas the second, outer region of the base layer and thesecond, outer region of the top layer are disposed on one other indirect contact with each other.

One side of the second, outer section of the gas-permeable element 30contacts the top layer 20 and another side of the second, outer sectionof the gas-permeable element 30 contacts the base layer 10 and/or theadhesive 102 of the base layer 10. Furthermore, a side 22 of the toplayer 20 that faces the base layer 10 may not be coated with adhesive,while a side of the base layer 10 that faces the top layer 20 is coatedwith adhesive 102, which adhesive contacts the second, outer region ofthe top layer.

The top layer 20 can further comprise an innermost region which, in theregion of the opening 21 of the base layer, projects radially inwardlyand/or laterally inwardly beyond the inner, first region of the baselayer and projects beyond the outer edge of the base layer at its outeredge.

Alternatively or in addition, the top layer 20 may comprise an outermostregion which projects radially outwardly and/or laterally outwardlybeyond the outer, second region of the base layer and/or beyond aradially outer and/or laterally outer edge of the base layer. Theoutermost region of the top layer 20 may for instance project beyond theouter edge of the base layer 10 along the entire circumference of thebase layer.

Between the inner, first regions of the base layer and of the top layer,the membrane 30 (i.e. its at least one outer section) is sandwiched andadhesively connected (at least to the base layer, for instance). Betweenthe outer, second regions of the base layer and of the top layer,however, there is no section of the membrane 30 which could separate thebase layer and the top layer from one another. Accordingly, the second,outer regions of the base layer and the top layer form a layer compositewhich does not comprise any membrane or membrane section, whereas thefirst, inner regions of the base layer and the top layer form a layercomposite which does comprise a membrane section in between, namely theouter, second section of the membrane 30. Due to direct contact of thebase layer and the top layer to one another, escape of the adhesive andmechanical instability of the label are prevented, especially during thesteps removing the label from the liner, handling the label and applyingit to the wall, housing or other kind of surface where a hole or anotherkind of opening has to be covered with the label.

According to the present application, a label for moisture protectionand/or for pressure equalization at an opening in a wall, in a housingor on a surface of an electronic module or of another device, isprovided, wherein the label comprises:

a base layer 10,

a top layer 20, and

a gas-permeable element 30.

The base layer 10 and the top layer 20 have overlapping openings 11, 21.The base layer and the top layer each comprise a first, laterally innerregion and a second, laterally outer region. The gas-permeable element30 comprises a first, laterally inner section 31 located between theoverlapping openings 11, 21 of the base layer and of the top layer. Thegas-permeable element 30 further comprises at least one second,laterally outer section 32 a, 32 b embedded or sandwiched between thefirst, inner regions of the base layer and of the top layer. The second,outer regions of the base layer and of the top layer are adhered to oneanother directly, with no gas-permeable element or section thereofbetween them, and/or connected in direct contact with each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A label for covering an opening situated in awall, in a housing of an electronic module or in another surface of adevice; wherein the label is destined for protection against the entryof dust, solid substances, contaminants, wetness, of liquid in dropletform and/or against entry of moisture through the opening and/ordestined for pressure equalization through the opening; wherein thelabel comprises: a base layer (10); a top layer (20); and agas-permeable element (30); wherein the base layer (10) has an opening(11) and at least comprises an adhesive (102); wherein a top layer (20)has an opening (21), wherein the opening (11) of the base layer (10) andthe opening (21) of the top layer (20) overlap one another; wherein thebase layer (10) comprises a first, radially inner and/or laterally innerregion and a second, radially outer and/or laterally outer region andwherein the top layer (20) comprises a first, radially inner and/orlaterally inner region and a second, radially outer and/or laterallyouter region; wherein the gas-permeable element (30) comprises a first,radially inner and/or laterally inner section (31) that lies in a radialand/or lateral area or region where the opening (11) of the base layer(10) and the opening (21) of the top layer (20) overlap one another;wherein the gas-permeable element (30) further comprises at least onesecond, radially outer and/or laterally outer section (32 a, 32 b) thatis arranged radially outside and/or laterally outside the first, innersection (31) of the gas-permeable element; wherein the at least onesecond, outer section (32 a, 32 b) of the gas-permeable element (30) isembedded and/or sandwiched between the first, inner region of the baselayer and the first, inner region of the top layer; whereas the second,outer region of the base layer and the second, outer region of the toplayer are disposed on one other in direct contact with each other. 2.The label according to claim 1, in which one side of the second, outersection of the gas-permeable element (30) contacts the top layer (20)and another side of the second, outer section of the gas-permeableelement (30) contacts the base layer (10) and/or the adhesive (102) ofthe base layer (10).
 3. The label according to claim 1, in which a side(22) of the top layer (20) that faces the base layer (10) is not coatedwith adhesive, and a side of the base layer (10) that faces the toplayer (20) is coated with adhesive (102), which adhesive contacts thesecond, outer region of the top layer.
 4. The label according to claim1, in which a side (22) of the top layer (20) that faces the lower layer(10) is not coated with adhesive, and in which the base layer is formedof an adhesive layer (50) and/or of a double-sided adhesive tape, forinstance of a tape of polymer film coated on both sides with an adhesive(102, 103).
 5. The label according to claim 1, in which the top layer(20) comprises an innermost region which, in the region of the opening(21) of the base layer, projects radially inwardly and/or laterallyinwardly beyond the inner, first region of the base layer and projectsbeyond the outer edge of the base layer at its outer edge.
 6. The labelaccording to claim 1, in which a cross-section (B) of the opening (21)of the top layer (20) is smaller than a cross-section (C) of the opening(11) of the base layer (10), wherein, in the region of the opening (21)of the base layer (10), the top layer (20) projects beyond the edge ofthe base layer that forms the opening (11) of the base layer (10) bybetween 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, particularly 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.
 7. The labelaccording to claim 1, in which the top layer (10) comprises a pluralityof openings (25) that are smaller in comparison with the opening (11),which openings overlap with the one, single opening (11) of the baselayer (10).
 8. The label according to claim 1, in which the top layer(20), further comprises an outermost region which projects radiallyoutwardly and/or laterally outwardly beyond the outer, second region ofthe base layer and/or beyond a radially outer and/or laterally outeredge of the base layer.
 9. The label according to claim 1, in which, inthe region of the outer edge of the base layer (10), the top layer (20)projects beyond the base layer by 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, particularly by 0.5mm to 1 mm.
 10. The label according to claim 1, in which the outermostregion of the top layer (20) projects beyond the outer edge of the baselayer (10) along the entire circumference of the base layer.
 11. Thelabel according to claim 1, in which the top layer (60) comprises anopaque laser-active layer component (602) which can be removed under theeffect of a laser beam, or can be modified to such an extent that itbecomes less opaque or transparent.
 12. The label according to claim 1,in which the top layer (60) comprises a layer (601) that is permeablefor a laser beam, and comprises an opaque, laser-active layer component(602) on its side facing the base layer, which component can bemodified, by means of the effect of a laser beam, to such an extent thatit becomes less opaque or transparent, and further comprises acontrast-forming layer (603), which faces the base layer.
 13. The labelaccording to claim, in which the gas-permeable element (30) is amembrane or a woven fabric, wherein the gas-permeable element (30) isnon-permeable for liquid in the form of droplets, for dust, for solidsubstances and/or for contaminants.
 14. The label according to claim 1,in which the opening in the base layer (10) is a circular opening (11)with a diameter (c); the gas-permeable element (30) has a cross-sectionthat is greater than the opening (11) of the base layer (10), so thatthe gas-permeable element (30) completely covers the opening (11) of thebase layer (10); and the opening of the top layer (20) is a circularopening (21), the diameter (B) of which is smaller than the diameter (C)of the opening of the base layer (10).
 15. A label for moistureprotection and/or for pressure equalization at an opening in a wall, ina housing or on a surface of an electronic module or of another device,the label comprising: a base layer (10), a top layer (20), and agas-permeable element (30); wherein the base layer (10) and the toplayer (20) have overlapping openings (11, 21); wherein the base layerand the top layer each comprise a first, laterally inner region and asecond, laterally outer region; wherein the gas-permeable element (30)comprises a first, laterally inner section (31) located between theoverlapping openings (11, 21) of the base layer and of the top layer;and wherein the gas-permeable element (30) further comprises at leastone second, laterally outer section (32 a, 32 b) embedded or sandwichedbetween the first, inner regions of the base layer and of the top layer;whereas the second, outer regions of the base layer and of the top layerare adhered to one another directly, with no gas-permeable element orsection thereof between them, and/or connected in direct contact witheach other.